Stephen Sims receives Executive Board Award for special accomplishments in the water attractions industry
SomerSplash Waterpark’s general manager has received the World Waterpark Association’s (WWA) Executive Board Award for special accomplishments in the water attractions industry.
Dr. Stephen Sims accepted the award at the annual WWA Symposium and Trade Show in October.
The Executive Board Award is given to an individual or organization whose accomplishments have contributed to industry knowledge and expertise for the benefit of WWA membership. It is one of a slate of awards given annually that recognize excellence in leadership, safety, innovation, training and honor people working at various levels within the water leisure industry.
“It’s a great honor to be both nominated and selected to receive this award,” Sims said. “I have spent the better part of two decades funneling my passion for knowledge and research into the waterpark and amusement park industries. I’m grateful to the World Waterpark Association for welcoming me and encouraging me to share what I’ve learned with my colleagues in a number of ways. I am committed to giving back to the industry that has given so much to me and the WWA has been a wonderful organization in which to serve.”
Sims has served as SomerSplash’s general manager for 16 years. During this time, he has overseen the park’s growth and expansion from a local tourist attraction to a regional destination, not only for summer water leisure activities but also as a winter ice skating venue.
Since joining SomerSplash, Sims has been an ambassador for the waterpark industry. As a WWA member, he has been a volunteer at the WWA Symposium and Trade Show since 2007, a speaker at the WWA Symposium, has served on the WWA’s Education Committee since 2018 and has been a contributor to WWA’s monthly publications. In addition to serving on committees for other industry organizations, Sims advocates for both the waterpark and amusement park industries on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. For the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, Sims serves on the North American Public Relations Advisory Committee and was selected to champion possible federal OSHA heat injury and illness rules and regulations as a Small Business Association advocate.
Sims earned his bachelor of science degree in physical education/athletic training from Eastern Kentucky University. He went on to receive two master’s degrees in exercise science/sports administration and recreation and park administration before earning his doctor of education in organizational leadership/recreation, parks and tourism. Sims wrote his dissertation about the economic impact waterparks have on communities in Kentucky.
Sims is an American Red Cross (ARC) lifeguard instructor trainer, ARC water safety instructor, and an ARC certified lifeguard. He is also a certified athletic trainer by the National Athletic Trainers’ Board of Certification and the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure. Sims works with local providers to offer sports medicine outreach for two local high schools covering practices and sporting events and provides medical coverage as a part-time athletic trainer for football and other varsity sports at Lindsey Wilson College.
Somerset Mayor Alan Keck congratulated Sims for receiving the award and for his hard work and dedication to SomerSplash and to the waterpark industry.
“SomerSplash is leading the way as a tourism destination in Kentucky, and that has everything to do with Stephen Sims’s leadership and the outstanding team he has built,” Keck said. “You will not find anyone more passionate and dedicated to the waterpark industry. We are blessed at the City of Somerset to have him and I’m excited to see the ways SomerSplash will continue to thrive.”
